Honor and Support Our Veterans, the Furry Way

Take a look at this amazing photo:

National Star-Spangled Banner Flag G.H. Preble, 1874.

Look really closely at how small the people are to absorb the enormity of this flag. It's 36 x 29 feet! It's the same flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 during its bombardment by the British, which was witnessed by Francis Scott Key who soon after composed the "Star-Spangled Banner". The largest U.S. battle flag at the time, this enduring piece of U.S. history (now on view at the Smithsonian) was hand sewn by Mrs. Mary Young Pickersgill and her two nieces. Truly a Star-Spangled (and battered) Banner.

One of my favorite charity organizations, the Newman's Own Foundation, has organized a challenge called Honoring Those Who Serve to bring attention and support to a "select group of military service nonprofits ... that help those who serve." These groups are all doing meaningful work for our amazing vets, right in our own communities.

Here are two organizations that caught Franny and Lou's eye.

 The first is called HERO DOGS.

HERO DOGS works with veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and provides exceptionally trained service dogs to meet the special needs of the veterans due to injuries or other disabilities. As citizens of a grateful nation, we have an obligation to try to restore the former independence and ability of those veterans who have sacrified so much for the good of others and to protect our freedom. Here's a moving video about this organization and the work they do.

The other is: WARRIOR CANINE CONNECTION

We will be donating 50% of all profits from sales made in our shop today through Veterans Day to one or more of the Newman's Challenge participating organizations. It's the least we can do to give thanks and to honor and support these exceptional men and women and their families.

What Veterans Day activities are going on near you? Check out the Veterans Affairs Office site.

Have a beautiful weekend.
xo,
kate